Steering grinding noise?

[Supersportster]

Hey there..

I am looking at purchasing a 2005 Proline CC, the boat checks out really nice, but I tried turing the steering wheel to the right, and it moved the the outboard to the right no problem, but then when I turned the wheel back to the left, it made a grinding sort of noise, and the outboard did not turn.

Any idea on what maybe wrong , or what to look for? the seller says it was A OK at the end of the season, and I just need to lube the cable??

I understand a steering kit is around $200 for parts?

I have a number agreed upon to purchase the boat, and I am thinking I want to get it either way, I am pretty handy, is it a big job to replace/repair the steering parts?

 

[Bondo]

Re: Steering grinding noise?

Hey there..

I am looking at purchasing a 2005 Proline CC, the boat checks out really nice, but I tried turing the steering wheel to the right, and it moved the the outboard to the right no problem, but then when I turned the wheel back to the left, it made a grinding sort of noise, and the outboard did not turn.

Any idea on what maybe wrong , or what to look for? the seller says it was A OK at the end of the season, and I just need to lube the cable??

I understand a steering kit is around $200 for parts?

I have a number agreed upon to purchase the boat, and I am thinking I want to get it either way, I am pretty handy, is it a big job to replace/repair the steering parts?

Ayuh,.... My guess is, the Helm, 'n/or the cable is Junk...

It ain't too bad to change, except you'll probably have to pull the motor to do it...

 

[Supersportster]

Re: Steering grinding noise?

Thanks for the quick reply Bondo!

Id have to pull the outboard right of the boat to change out the cable?? That would suck.

There is a nice access panel in the center console so I have good access to the back of the wheel..I was thinking fishing the new cable to the back was goin to be the tricky part...

 

[L.A.Wise]

Re: Steering grinding noise?

Before I went to the expense and labor of replacing the cables, I'd darn sure make sure the transom was in very good shape. Even a little wobble would make it suspect. It is not difficult to remove the outboard...just find a friend that has an engine hoist and your in busines.. Then it is just a matter of routing the steering cable to the console to the motor.

 

[southkogs]

Re: Steering grinding noise?

Just for some encouragement Super - I replaced my helm and steering cable this past year. I'm about as mechanical as my Golden Retriever is intimidating and vicious. You can handle it

Bond-O's suggestion about the helm is a good candidate: depending on the type of system, there are gears on the other side of the dashboard movin' the cable. If it's gotten chewed up somehow, it could be causing the grinding noise. If you push on the powerhead, can you make the same grinding noise up front? If so, there's a good chance the cable is free and working.

 

[Supersportster]

Re: Steering grinding noise?

Southkogs, thanks for the encouragement!

I have been meaning to give your suggestion a try and move the motor by hand and have listen, we got snowed on and I am waiting for a little bit of warmer weather..

Today and tomorrow are supposed to be nice, so i will report back when I give it a try..

 

[oops!]

Re: Steering grinding noise?

this is an out board motor right?

the kind with the whole motor hanging off the back?

or is it the kind with just a drive sticking out the back of the transom?

 

[5150abf]

Re: Steering grinding noise?

Routing the cable is the hardest part about changing the steering system and I would certainly look into a new one, steering isn't something you want to mess with, it is a big deal when it quits working.

As for the transom you should be abe to stand on the engine and have the transom not move, the engine underway puts much more stress on the transom than what your body weight is, if it will hold your weight without moving it is good, if it does move any more than 1/8'' rething the boat or have someone survey it to be sure it is good.

 

[ufm82]

Re: Steering grinding noise?

Basic questionh here. Is it cable steering or is it hydraulic? My reason for asking is if the steering is hydraulic and the helm is low on fluid/damaged, it could do exactly what you are saying. If it is cable steering then something pretty bad happened to the helm/cable.

Since we don't know what size engine it is we can't guess as to the system.

As for the transom question, I can't imagine a situations short of catastrophic impact that could cause it to be bad since it's only a 6 year old boat. I guess I'm questioning LA's comment. My PL is a '93 and is still as solid as a rock.

And it's an outboard boat as ProLine does not build anything but. As for removing the engine, I had to on mine but don't know the layout of the OP's boat. Sometimes you do, sometimes you don't.

 

[F_R]

Re: Steering grinding noise?

#1. We need to know if it is push-pull cable or hydraulic steering. Guessing at it is useless. Gotta know what we are working on. Espeially if hydraulic---what brand??
#2. You don't always have to pull the motor off the boat to change a steering cable. It all just depends on whether or not the cable can be pulled out of the tilt tube with the motor still on the transom. Sometimes there isn't enough room and you have to lift the motor off.
#3. Even if you do have to remove the motor, all you have to do is unbolt it and pick it up with a hoist. You don't have to disconnect everything.
#4. If it is hydraulic steering, the cable/motor lifting is not an issue, because there is no cable.

 

[Supersportster]

Re: Steering grinding noise?

Hey guys, thanks for the reply's..... It is a 2005 115hp 2 stroke mercury.

It is the cable steering not hydraulic.

I have no concerns about the transom, and just to check I did the stand on motor technic and there was no movement at all. The boat still has the pro line 10 warranty on it anyways..

 

[Supersportster]

Re: Steering grinding noise?

Problem solved: Bad helm. Replaced it good to go!
.....

once winter is over...

Thanks!!

 

[southkogs]

Re: Steering grinding noise?

Hit the "easy" button. I like it when it works out that way. Winter in Ontario is over in what ... July, right? (Just kiddin' ... used to live up Michigan way)